DEV Community

Cover image for New Switch syntax with C# 8.0
Sukhpinder Singh
Sukhpinder Singh

Posted on • Originally published at Medium

New Switch syntax with C# 8.0

Microsoft has launched newer syntax for switch expression starting from C# 8.0. Switch statements must produce a value in each of its case blocks. Switch expressions allow us to use extra compact expression syntax.

With new syntax are fewer repetitive “cases and break” keywords and fewer “curly braces.”

As an example, consider the following enum with a collection of the colors:

public enum Color {

    Red,     
    Orange,     
    Yellow,     
    Green,     
    Blue,     
    Indigo,     
    Violet

}
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Old switch syntax

switch (c)
{
  case Color.Red:
      Console.WriteLine("The color is red");
      break;
  default:
      Console.WriteLine("The color is unknwn.");
      break;
}
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

New Switch Syntax — RECOMMENDED

New switch syntax advantages

  • The variable name comes before the switch keyword starting syntax.

  • The distinctive order makes it simple to recognize the switch expression from the switch statement.

  • The “case” and “:” elements replaced with =>.

  • The default case is replaced with a “_” character.

Thank you for reading. Keep visiting and share this in your network. Please put your thoughts and feedback in the comments section.

Follow on following channels to stay tuned on upcoming stories on C#

C# Publication, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Dev.to, Pinterest, Substack, Wix

Top comments (2)

Collapse
 
biffbaff64 profile image
Richard Ikin

I use the similar style Java switch as it's just nicer. I'll definitely be using this on my next C# project.

Collapse
 
ssukhpinder profile image
Sukhpinder Singh

Yes indeed & its more cleaner..!!